SEVEN members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) surrendered due to hardship in continuously evading government troops in Maguindanao, officials announced Wednesday, February 17, 2021.

Lieutenant General Corleto Vinluan, Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the seven BIFFs surrendered to the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion Monday in Guindulugan, Maguindanao.

Vinluan said the BIFF surrenderers yielded five high-powered firearms that included a locally made 60-millimeter (mm) mortar, one locally made caliber .50 Sniper rifle, one M-16 Babay Armalite rifle, one US-made caliber .30 M1 Garand rifle, and another Garand converted to M14 rifle.

Vinluan said the BIFF surrenderers revealed they decided to surrender due to hardships they experienced while evading government forces.

“They are tired of hiding and they want to live a peaceful life and be able to work and provide financial support to their families,” he said.

Lieutenant Colonel Omar Orozco, 2nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion commander, said the surrenderers will be subjected to custodial debriefing to be conducted by the intelligence operatives of the commander.

The surrender of the seven brought to 18 the total number of BIFFs who surrendered to the government since January 1, 2021. (SunStar Zamboanga)